Documents

Adult RCIA

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

The RCIA: A Journey to Becoming Catholic

"From the awareness of stirring of faith and curiosity within one's heart, to a life of faith, love, and justice lived in communion with Catholics throughout the world."

Never been baptized? Baptized in another faith? Baptized Catholic but missing some sacraments?

Holy Name of Jesus RCIA ministry may be the place to get your questions answered and your journey started. We hope the information below is an aide to your discernment, no matter your starting point.

A Journey of Faith

The RCIA is truly a journey, a journey of faith. Throughout this journey there are “rites” and “processes” exposing a catechumen or candidate to the reality of the Christian life.

The “rites” mark stages along the path to a full commitment as a Catholic.

The “process” of gaining knowledge is done within a community of faith - through hearing the Gospel proclaimed, by faithful reflection and prayer as well as study and discussion with others.

The metanoia or conversion experienced by those seeking full communion with the Catholic Church is the work of God evidenced by the power of the Holy Spirit to change a persons heart.

Catechumen or Candidate?

A Catechumen is...

A non-baptized person brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through reception of the three sacraments of Christian initiation--baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist. A person who is baptized in the Catholic Church becomes a Catholic at that moment. One's initiation is deepened by the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist, but one becomes a Catholic at baptism. This is true both for children who are baptized Catholic (and receive the other two sacraments later) and for adults who are baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist at the same time.

A Candidate is...

A person who has been validly baptized - either in the Catholic Church or outside the Catholic Church - and wishes to complete the sacraments of initiation or become Catholic by making a profession of the Catholic faith and be formally received into the Church. This is normally followed immediately by the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist.

Preparing for the Journey

Before a person is ready to be received into the Catholic Church, whether by baptism or by profession of faith, preparation is necessary.

The "norm" in our parish are a series of meetings for study and discussion held on:Sunday mornings from 9:30am-10:45am in the Religious Education Building, CYM Zone. RCIA begins for the 2016-2017 year on September 11, 2016.